Filling spout



June 1 1964 A. R. A. SWENSON ETAL 3,137,328

FILLING SPOUT Filed May 1, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.

ARMOUND R. A. SWENSON ELY K. THOMSON INV EN TORS.

BY Mam June 16, 1964 A. R. A. SWENSON ETAL 3,137,328

FILLING SPOUT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 1, 1961 llLlll FIG. 3

ARMOUND R. A. SWENSON ELY K. THOMSON IN V EN TORS.

A T TOR/V5 Y United States Patent 3,137,328 FILLING SPOUT Patented June16, 1964-;

thatthe filling operation be a clean one, that is, that there r ArmoundR. A. Swenson and Ely K. Thomson, Amarillo,

Tex., assignors to Continental Carbon Company, Amarillo, Tex., acorporation of Delaware Filed May 1, 1961, Ser. No. 106,804 2 Claims.(Cl. 141-315) discharge the fluidized solids into a valve bag whilesimultaneously providing direct communication between the interior ofthe bag being filled and a remote suction source so as to facilitateescape of displaced and entrained air during the entire filling cycle.The invention additionally relates to the spout assembly asaforementioned having auxiliary means within the vicinity of the spoutassembly for collecting any dust or fines which may have escaped fromthe valve of the bag either during or subsequent to the fillingoperation and also ancillary means for obviating spillage from the spoutupon removal of the bag from said assembly.

Over the years a variety of different methods and apparatuses have beendeveloped for filling valve type bags. Presently, there are apparatusesin use which merely require the operator to place the bag in a properreceiving position and initiate the filling, whereupon the rest of thefilling cycle is accomplished automatically. The automatic portion ofthe cycle includes such sequential steps as: locking of the bag inposition, feeding of a predetermined amount of material into the bag,cessation of the flow of material upon attaining said predetermineddeposition, clearing the filling spout of any substance retainedtherein, releasing of the bag,- tucking in of the valve portion of thebag and ejection of the bag onto a conveyor. In spite of the advancedstate of development of this segment of the art, there nevertheless arecertain operational features that desirably could be improved andadditionally there is a definite need for improving the production ratesof these expensive automatic machines.

Accordingly, the present invention provides for the overcoming ofcertain difiiculties observed in the use of automatic packers,particularly the air-flow type, and furthermore permits a'more eflicientutilization of these machines. As indicated above, the gist of thisinvention concerns an improved dispensing unit for use in combinationwith the aforesaid packers and additionally apperto the effectiveremoval of tains to a method of dispensing particulate substances fromsuch packers in an improved manner.

In an effort to facilitate a'more complete understanding of the precisenature of this invention, a brief discussion of various advantagesresiding in the practice thereof will be given preliminary to a detaileddiscussion of the method and apparatus involved therein.

The type of packers contemplated for use in the practice of thisinvention are employed forfilling a variety of finely dividedsubstances. As examples of typical materials that can be packaged bysuch means there are: hydrated lime, talc, silicaflour, titaniumdioxide, cement,

refractory mixes, fertilizers, carbon black, resinous molding powdersand the like. From the above enumeration it can be readily appreciatedthat it is very desirable,

particularly from the standpoint of health considerations,

during the filling operation. q Most of the present day air-flow packersdepend upon the porosity of the walls of the bag in order to allow i theescape of the displaced and comparatively large quan present invention;s v FIG. Z'lS a sectional view taken on line2+2 of FIG.

is substantially no escape to the atmosphere of the mate-' rial beingfilled and also thatthere is no spillage from completely the loss to theatmosphere of-dust and fines when using the prior art filling machinesto fill-valve type bags. Our invention, in one aspect, overcomes this"defi' ciency of the prior devices by providing improved means forcollecting any such dust and fines that might escape tities of entrainedair introduced into the bag during the filling cycle. Consequently, asthe material isfdeposited into the bag there is a comparative rapiddiminution of areathrough which air can effectively escape. In thepractice of our invention, however, novel means are provided forpermitting rapid escape of a sizable portion Of entrained or displacedair through the dispenser unit, such escape route being out of contactwith the flow of material being dispensed therethrough. Thus fasterfilling of porous bags is realized in the practice of our invention. Afurther attribute of the instant invention is that nonporous bags can beused such as, for example, polyethylene bags. I

Oftentimes in packaging practicesit is desirable to re g-l 1 ulate theamount of fines or sub-specification particle'sized material that mightexist in the bulk of material being filled. Typical applications whereinthis desideratum is:

expereinced is in the filling of valve bags with carbon black pellets,molding compositions and the like. As

be seen an important feature of our invention pertains such undesirablefines during} the filling operation.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a dispensingunit which can be readily adaptedfor the use of bags having varyingvalve sizes. i

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will beapparent to those in gs.

In the drawings:

a dispenser assembly incorporating the features of the 1; and

FIG. 3 depicts a modification 5f a filling spout a related part for usein a dispenser assembly unit as;

" generally shown in FIG. 1.

As mentioned, the structures, arrangements and c0m skilled in the "artfrom a consideration of a detailed description set forth hereinbelow.Such description given in connection withv the accompanying drawingsforming a part of this application is presented merely asillustrativeofthe preferred I embodiments of the invention. It is of "course 'to be;understood that the method of our invention may be prac i. ticed usingavariety of dilferent structures other than those specificallyillustrated in the accompanying draw;

binations of :this invention are contemplatedas being advantageouslyused with otherwise conventional apparatuses for filling bags. Suitableconventional bag ,filling.

apparatuses include the gravity type, screw type, air-flew i I type,etc.' An'improved'version of the last-mentioned I type of apparatus'isshown in theA. R. A. Swenson co:

pending patentapplication Serial No. 683,127 filed Sep-I," tember 10,1957, now Patent No. 3,083,780. Additional reference is made to AIR. A.Swenson patent application Serial No. 822,049 filed June 22, 1959,now'U.S. Patent enemas No. 3,075,595, which discloses and claims anexceptionally beneficial weighing device for use'with an air-flow packersuch as disclosed in the former application. Briefly stated, the use ofthe aforesaid packer and weighing device permits the introduction offluidized material into the bag once the operator positions the bag in afilling position. Upon deposit of a predetermined amount of the materialinto the bag, the scale assembly will cause interruption of the flow ofmaterial and ejection of the bag. It is specifically pointed out thatthe above-mentioned packer and scale device form no part of thisinvention but merely are mentioned by way of illustratingsuitabledevices for using the dispensing unit constituting the novelsubject matter of the instant invention.

Referring to the accompanying drawings and particularly FIGS. 1 and 2thereof, the apparatus of our inven tion comprises a filling spout forconveying the material to be dispensed into a valve bag. The fillingspout can be anyelongated hollow member but preferably is of tubulardesign as shown. "Encompassing a substantial portion of the fillingspout beginning at a point removed from the discharge outlet thereof isan adapter or flared extension 11 said flared extension being disposedabout the filling spout 10 in such a manner so as to create aninterstice between the inner surface of said adapter and the outersurface of the portion of the filling spout enclosed thereby. Thisinterstice or void space is shown at 12 on the drawings. The preferreddesign for the flared extension is a form of a frustum having a majordiameter somewhat greater than the inside diameter of the valve of theparticular bag used and having a minor dia.. eter capable of providing aslip-fit accommodation for the filling spout. In view of the likelihoodof using bags having diiferent valve diameters the interchangeable useof frustums having varying angular design is contemplated. The adapteris removably attached to the unit by means of flange 13. The site ofsaid attachment can be better pointed out hereinbelow.

Apertures 14 are provided in the flared extension 11, and as shown inthe drawing preferably comprise a plurality (usually four) oflongitudinally disposed slots. In

availing of the particular slotted arrangement shown, the

slots are to extend to near the smaller end of the flared extension soas to provide unobstructed communication between the interior of the bagplaced over the filling spout-adapter combination and the interstice 12.Further, in beneficially utilizing the slot arrangement shown,

it is desirable to terminate the ends of the slots farthest removed fromthe smaller end of theflared extension at a point slightly removedinwardly from where the exterior extremity of the valve normallycontacts said flared extension. The reasons for the disclosed preferredslot arrangement can be better set forth in a discussion of theoperation of the dispensing unit. However, it is to be I mentioned herethere are, various ways of eifecting communication between the interiorof a bag and said interstice. Any such variations as may be readilydevised by one skilled in the art are contemplated as being within thescope and spirit of this invention.

In FIG. 1' mounting block 15 is fixedly provided with a sleeve extension16 near the center thereof to receive the filling spout was a slip-fitfTube 17 is similarly sematerial from the hopper or similar supplyreservoir of the packer.

Rigidly attached to mounting block 15 is the hood assembly 28. Theinitial portion of the hood assembly attached to said mounting blockprovides an essentially unobstructed cylindrical chamber 19 save for thetubes 10 and 17 disposed therein. Said chamber 1d has a diametergenerously larger than that of either filling spout 10 or tube 17 andalso significantly larger than the major 7 2, to the inside diameter ofthe initial portion of the hood assembly is rigidly secured, such as bywelding, to said assembly at a position sulficiently forward of themounting block 15 so as to form the above described chamber. Saidmounting plate 18 is provided with a circular aperture having a diameterapproximately the same as that of the larger diameter of the flaredextension 11. Means are disposed about the perimeter of mounting plateaperture so that the flange 13 of the flared extension can-be readilyattached thereto. V

The top portion of the hood assembly extends forward towards the outletsection of the spout tube with the foremost edge thereof terminating ata point removed from The portion of the hood 18 is cutaway at the bottomso as to allow the valve vof the bag to be sealingly positioned on theflared extension. As is to be noted, said extension of the hood assemblyprovides a canopy about the flared extension and apart of the fillingspout immediately projecting forwardly therefrom. I

A curved divider plate 21' extends from the forward face of the frontmounting plate to the extended portion or leading edge of the hoodassembly 28 providing between these elements a void space 22.

- The front mounting plate 18 is provided with a plurality of apertures29 contiguous to the-upper extemity thereof. Desirably, the upperquadrant or so of front mounting plate 18 is aligned with apertures 29in the manner indi-..

cated.

A preferred structural modification of the present invention utilizes apipe 25 affixed to the top part of the hood assembly 28 and to sleeveextension 16 through the chamber 19 in a manner so as to effectcommunication with the interior of the cylindrical spacing provided bythe sleeve extension 16. Said pipe 25 is preferably rigidly secured toeach of said members such as by welding. A I

small diameter tube 26 is sealingly inserted through pipe 25 andpositioned to extend within the filling spout tube it) somewhatforwardly of the position of the front mounting piate 18. The end of thetube residing in the filling spout tube is preferably directed slightlydown,

wardly and toward the discharge opening. The portion of tube 26exteriorly protruding frornpipe .25 is flanged in order to accommodatean airline connector.

FIG. 3 illustrates another version of a flared extenw sion-filling tubecombination which can be conveniently and quickly inserted in thedispensing unit as described above.

rearward extremity of the filling spout is provided with the annularrecess channel 27 which will permit saidlspout to be slip-fitted aboutthe sleeve extension 16. It can be readily noted that in employing afilling spout of the type shown in FIG. 3, one can use an adapter(frustum type.) i 1 whose minor diameter slightly exceeds the diameterof the filling spout thereby providingcommunication be-. tween theinterior of the bag and the interstice 12 at this vided in lieu of thelong slots shown in said figures.

Having described in detail the structural features of the instantinvention as shown in the embodiments depicted in the drawings, adescription will now be presented which illustrates the use of thedispensing unit of our invention with an air-flow packer.

With a vacuum source (not shown) operating and communicating with thechamber ,19 by means of the connector 24, a partial vacuum is created ina bag whose valve portion is positioned about the adapted 11. Thispartial vacuum will tend to seal the valve of thelrag to the adapter.Accordingly, the valve will be effectively The principal dilferencebetween this combination and that shown in FIG. 1 resides in the fittinguti- V lized in'connecting the filling tube to the dispensing unit. PSpecifically, in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3 the sealed throughoutthe entire filling operation. However, if it is desired to obtain a morepositive sealing action, conventional sealers may be provided about theadapter. There are a number of suitable sealing means for this purpose;nevertheless, it bears pointing out that in using the present inventionsuch positive acting seals are not necessary if a vacuum force such asdescribed is used to effect sealing.

The air-flow packer forces the material through tubes 17 and into thebag. In so far as there is a considerable amount of entrained air forcedinto the bag along with the material it is obviously very desirable topermit the escape of this air in a rapid fashion. In the practice of theinstant invention, rapid exhaustion of air is, in the main, accomplishedby permitting the displaced and entrained air to exit through theapertures associated with the adapter 11. With specific reference toFIG; 1, communication between the interstice 12 and the interior of thebag is provided by the forward extremity of slots 14. The constantwithdrawal of air through interstice 12 and thence through chamber 19 isgreatly aided by the suction force acting upon chamber 19 throughfitting 24. The reason why our mode of exhausting entrained air isespecially effective resides in the fact that the materials deposited inthe bag, regardless of particle size, are nevertheless heavier than airand consequently by sheer momentum are deposited at the bottom of thebag furthest from the apertures 14 thus causing a natural accumulationof the air in the latter region.

For the same reason as advanced directly above, the

practices that we are awareof, this contaminated air escapes into thesurrounding atmosphere when the bag able loss to the atmosphere of dustis substantially completely obviated in the present invention by meansof the hood assembly 28 orrather theextension thereof forming a canopyabout the filling spout.- Thus, the forward extension of the hoodassembly serves to confine the contaminated air within the vicinity ofapertures 14 and 23.

1 With vacuum applied to the fitting 24, an air-flow. is

larger particle size materials have a tendency to settle into the bagbottom quickly whereas an appreciable portion of the fines content willremain suspended in the gas or air accumulating at the top of the bag.Thus, by the application of suflicient suction force so as to effectquick exhaustion of air one can additionally withdraw a substantialpercentage of the fines associated with the deposited material.

It is contemplated that in the practice of this invention the abovedescribed suction force must continually communicate with the interiorof the bag throughout the complete filling cycle.

At the end of each filling cycle a temporary blast of air is blownthrough tube 26 in order to expel the material left in the filling tube10 into the bag. Thus by maintaining a lower air pressure in the bagduring the filling cycle, as is accomplished by application of acontinuous suction, more effective expelling of the material from thefilling spout is realized. In the operation of expelling retainedmaterial from the filling spout following the filling cycle, acomparatively high volume of air is momentarily discharged through tube26. During this brief phase of the operation, the pressure conditionexisting in chamber 19 and interstice 12 is reversed from one of partialvacuum to one of pressure relative to the ambient atmospheric pressure.Consequently at this instance, due to the reversal of air-flow betweenchamber 19 and void space 22, flapper valve 20 is forced against theapertures 29 in front of the mounting plate 18 thereby effectivelysealing the void 22 from chamber 19 and consequently preventing thedischarge of contaminated air from chamber 19 through void 22 andapertures 23.

In a typical filling operation, dust and fines in the material beingpackaged is intermixed with the air in the filling spout and the voidleft in the top of the bag at the end of the filling cycle. 1n all ofthe prior art created through apertures 14 and 23, interstice 12 andvoid space 22, and thence through chamber 19. In this manner thecontaminated air inevitably present in the vicinity of the forwardextension of hood assembly 28 upon removal of the bag, is withdrawn intothe dispensing unit. The hood assembly functions in substantially themanner as described above to collect any blowby that might occur betweenthe adapter and the valve of the bag during a filling operation.

What is claimed is:

1. An improved material dispenser for a valve bag packer whichcomprises: a hollow frustum having a forwardly positioned smaller endand a rearwardly positioned larger end and having slots longitudinallydisposed between said ends and extending to near the smaller end of thefrustum, said frustum having an outside diameter equal to the insidediameter of the valve of the valve bag at a point intermediate betweenits rearward end and the corresponding ends of said. slots; a tubularfilling spout having an outside diameter essentially corhood voidspacing and the annulus formed'by said frustum and that portion of thefilling spout disposed therein; and means for applying suction force tosaid void chamber. 7 i

2; A dispenser in accordance with claim 1 having means for introducing astream of gas under pressure into said filling spout in the direction ofthe discharge outlet thereof and means for siibstantially sealing offthe communication between said chamber and said confined hood voidspacing when the pressure within said chamber exceeds the ambientatmospheric pressure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re.23,504 Carter May 27, 1952 1,782,733 Lilly Nov. 25, 1930 2,799,465Carter July 16, 1957 2,861,604 Whitmire Nov. 25, 1958 2,887,292Titchenal May- 19, 1959 2,922,443 Jones et a1. Jan. 26, 1960

1. AN IMPROVED MATERIAL DISPENSER FOR A VALVE BAG PACKER WHICHCOMPRISES: A HOLLOW FRUSTUM HAVING A FORWARDLY POSITIONED SMALLER ENDAND A REARWARDLY POSITIONED LARGER END AND HAVING SLOTS LONGITUDINALLYDISPOSED BETWEEN SAID ENDS AND EXTENDING TO NEAR THE SMALLER END OF THEFRUSTUM, SAID FRUSTUM HAVING AN OUTSIDE DIAMETER EQUAL TO THE INSIDEDIAMETER OF THE VALVE OF THE VALVE BAG AT A POINT INTERMEDIATE BETWEENITS REARWARD END AND THE CORRESPONDING ENDS OF SAID SLOTS; A TUBULARFILLING SPOUT HAVING AN OUTSIDE DIAMETER ESSENTIALLY CORRESPONDING TOTHE INSIDE DIAMETER OF THE SMALLER END OF SAID FRUSTUM AXIALLY DISPOSEDTHEREIN FOR AT LEAST ABOUT THE LENGTH OF THE FRUSTRUM AND PROJECTINGFORWARDLY THEREFROM; A HOOK EXTENSION ENCOMPASSING SAID FRUSTUM AND APORTION OF THE FILLING SPOUT PROJECTING FORWARDLY THEREFROM, ALONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING DIVIDER PLATE DISPOSED TO PROVIDE A VOID SPACEBETWEEN IT AND THE INNER SURFACE OF SAID HOOD EXTENSION; A VOID CHAMBERCOMMONLY ADTURNED NEAR THE EXTREMITY THEREOF JOINING THE LEADING EDGE OFSAID HOOD EXTENSION; A VOID CHAMBER COMMONLY ADJACENT TO AND SOLELYCOMMUNICATING WITH SAID CONFINED HOOD VOID SPACING AND THE ANNULUSFORMED BY SAID FRUSTUM AND THAT PORTION OF THE FILLING SPOUT DISPOSEDTHEREIN; AND MEANS FOR APPLYING SUCTION FORCE TO SAID VOID CHAMBER.